Bush is improving, his doctor says

Condition of former president, 88, improving

Former President George H.W. Bush waits for former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev before having lunch together Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston.

Photo By Brett Coomer/Staff

A now-ailing former President George H.W. Bush arrives for the coin toss before the Texans' game against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 4.

Photo By David J. Phillip/.

Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, check out Gorbachev family photos recently when former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachevis was in Houston to speak at the Brilliant Lecture Series.

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Former President George H.W. Bush shakes hands with Buffalo Bills strong safety George Wilson before the coin toss at a Houston Texans game on Nov. 4.

Photo By David Shutts

George W. Bush, from left, George P. Bush and George H.W. Bush at last year's A Celebration of Reading, Barbara Bush's annual fundraiser for literacy causes.

Photo By Tom Harvey/Admiral Nimitz Museum

One of a series of photos from the George Bush Gallery at the Admiral Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg. This photo shows a young George Bush in the cockpit writing in his logbook during WWII.

A young George Bush (center), Joe Reichert (L), Leo Nadeau (R) are part of GEORGE BUSH: HIS WORLD WAR II YEARS. The one-hour World Premiere documentary, focuses on Bush's naval service during WWII through interviews and rare archival footage. Hosted by Peter Graves.

Photo By Anonymous/ASSOCIATED PRESS

George Bush is sworn in as new director of the Central Intelligence Agency by Supreme Court Associate Justice Potter Stewart, left, as Mrs Barbara Bush and President Gerald Ford, at right, look on at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., January 30, 1976. Bush succeeds William Colby who retired. (AP Photo)

Photo By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former President Ronald Reagan, left, his wife Nancy Reagan, new first lady Barbara Bush and her husband President George Bush, right, walk down the Capitol steps after the inaugural ceremony in Washington, D.C., Friday, Jan. 20, 1989. President Bush was sworn in as the nation's 41st president. The Reagans are heading to an awaiting helicopter to take them to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and onto California. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Photo By AP file

Bush takes the oath of office as president of the United States in 1989. Vice President Dan Quayle watches from behind.

Seen in 1980, Vice
President-elect Bush shows his support for the Houston Oilers while hanging out
with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle during a "Monday Night Football"
game between Houston and New England in the Astrodome.

Photo By Ron Edmonds

FILE - In this Oct. 15, 1992 file photo, President George H.W. Bush looks at his watch during a presidential debate at the University of Richmond's Robins Center. Independent candidate Ross Perot is at rear. Body language speaks volumes in televised debates. Classic moments from debates past often had more to do with what the candidates did _ or didn't do _ than what they said. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)

Photo By HANDOUT

The sons of former President George H.W. Bush from left to right, Neal, Marvin, George, and Jeb are shown at their Midland home about 1958.

Photo By Associated Press

President Ford, right, and first lady Betty Ford, second from left, visit then-Ambassador George H.W. Bush and Bush's wife, Barbara, in 1975 in China.

Photo By Dartmouth College

Former U.S. President George HW Bush( center) poses for a photograph with Dartmouth College President Jim Yong Kim, comedian Conan O'Brien and other honorary degree recipients at the Dartmouth commencement ceremonies last June. Photo courtesy of Dartmouth College.

Photo By Michael Paulsen/Chronicle

President George H.W. Bush and James A. Baker talk

Photo By Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

President Barack Obama presents former President George H.W. Bush the 2010 Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle

Former President George H.W. Bush, right, and his wife, Barbara, join James A. Baker III, center, and his wife, Susan, at the Baker statue dedication Tuesday.

Photo By ALLISON SLOMOWITZ/AP

George H.W. Bush

The spirit must run in the family. Bush Sr. cheered at Yale.

Photo By Jason Hirschfeld/Getty Images

FILE - NOVEMBER 29: Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized with bronchitis in Houston, Texas for six days, his spokesman said on November 29, 2012. NORFOLK, VA - JANUARY 10: Former president George H.W. Bush and current President George W. Bush wave at the commissioning ceremony for the Navy's newest aircraft carrier the George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), named after the President's father the former President, at Naval Station Norfolk on January 10, 2009 in Norfolk, Virginia. The George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is a 97,000-ton aircraft carrier built for $6.2 billion and is the first aircraft carrier since the USS Ronald Regan was commission in 2003.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

An officers hat shows the USS George H.W. Bush and the ship's designation of CVN77.

Photo By DAVID J PHILLIP/AP

Former President George Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin share a laugh during a dinner in Houston, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002. Jiang's visit to Houston is part of a four-day U.S. trip that will culminate in a Friday meeting with President Bush at his ranch in Crawford.

Photo By TEXAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD MUSEUM/TEXAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD

NO SALES, NO AP, DO NOT RELEASE HOUCHRON CAPTION (04/11/1999): A young George W. Bush is welcomed into a Houston unit of the Texas Air National Guard in 1968 by his father, then-Congressman George Bush, a former Navy pilot. HOUCHRON CAPTION (07/04/1999): U.S. Rep. George Bush, a former Navy pilot, welcomes his son, George W., into a Houston unit of the Texas Air National Guard in 1968. HOUCHRON CAPTION (12/14/2000): A young George W. Bush is welcomed into the Texas Air National Guard in 1968 by his father, who was then a congressman. HOUCHRON CAPTION (02/22/2004-2-STAR): The service records of John Kerry, (Not in picture) and George W. Bush, have become a key issue in the race for the White House. The service of National Guardsman George W. Bush, with his father, George H.W. Bush, has Been the focus of recent questions about the president's character. Most of the attention centers on a period in 1972 when he transferred to a Guard unit in Alabama. HOUCHRON CAPTION (02/22/2004): The service records of John Kerry (NOT PICTURED) and George W. Bush have become a key issue in the race for the White House. . . . Bush, a National Guardsman, is seen with his father, George H.W. Bush, in an undated photo.

Photo By Ron Edmonds/ASSOCIATED PRESS

President George H.W Bush welcomes singer Michael Jackson, who was named "Entertainer of the Decade" by the Friends of the Children's Museum in Washington to the White House Thursday, April 20, 1990. Standing behind are daughter-in-law Margaret Bush and first lady Barbara Bush. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Photo By David Valdez/AP

President George H.W. Bush, left, and Will Farish hunt quail December 28, 1989 on the Lazy F Ranch near Beeville, Texas. Bush is spending the New Year holiday in Texas before returning to Washington.

Photo By Scott Applewhite/ASSOCIATED PRESS

President George H.W. Bush and wife, Barbara dance at the inaugural ball at the Pension Building in Washington, on Friday, Jan. 20, 1989. (AP Photo/Scott Applewhite)

Photo By George Bush Presidential Library

President George H.W. Bush, in his official presidential portrait.
Credit: Bush Presidential Library and Museum
P00565 Official Portrait of President George H. W. Bush in the Oval Office. 15 Feb 89.
Photo Credit: George Bush Presidential Library

Photo By BOB DAUGHERTY/ASSOCIATED PRESS

President George Bush, left, is congratulated by outgoing President Ronald Reagan after Bush took the oath of office as the 41st president of the United States on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Friday, Jan. 20, 1989. Shown at left is first lady Barbara Bush and applauding at right is Nancy Reagan. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)

Photo By King Chou Wong/Houston Chronicle

11/09/1988 - President-elect George Bush, his wife, Barbara, and his grandchildren, Jenna (left) and Barbara wave to well-wishers before they board a jet at Ellington Field the day after his election victory. At right can be seen a congratulatory sign prepared by the crew. King Chou Wong / Houston Post

Photo By Ira Strickstein/Houston Chronicle

11/08/1988 - President-elect George Bush waves to the crowd at convention center following his victory speech. "I mean to be a president of all the people, " he told supporters at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. Ira Strickstein / Houston Post

Photo By Eric Gay/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vice President George Bush tosses a football back to members of the traveling press corps after arriving in Houston on Monday, Nov. 7, 1988. Bush, in the last full day of campaigning, returned to Houston where he will vote on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo By AP

** FILE ** In this Nov. 9, 1988, President-elect George H. W. Bush holds his hands up to acknowledge the crowds applause, and ask them to allow him to continue his speech during his victory rally with grandson, George P. Bush, right, and son, George W. Bush, left, in Houston, Texas. Bush trounced Michael Dukakis 426-111 in the electoral vote, but the popular vote was closer, 53 percent to 46 percent.

Photo By Scott Applewhite/ASSOCIATED PRESS

President elect-George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara, pose with Vice President-elect Dan Quayle and his wife Marilyn at the start of the Inaugural Gala on Thursday, Jan. 19, 1989 in Washington. (AP Photo/Scott Applewhite)

08/24/1988 - Republican presidential nominee George Bush steps off Air Force Two at Ellington on Wednesday as he prepares for a three-day Texas campaign swing. John Makely / Houston Post

Photo By J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 18, 1988 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, Vice President George H.W. Bush, right, and his running mate Sen. Dan Quayle, R-Ind., wave to the assembly of the Republican National Convention in New Orleans after their acceptance speeches for the presidential and vice-presidential nomination. Long gone are the passionate debates. Long gone is the suspense about who will emerge as the party's presidential nominee. Political conventions now are carefully scripted pep rallies aimed at a national TV audience. Not since the 1970s, in fact, has the nation had a major-party national convention begin with the nominee in doubt. Americans already know how the story will end at this year's Republican and Democratic national gatherings. So have modern-day conventions become irrelevant? (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Photo By Carlos Rosales/Houston Chronicle

08/16/1986 - Vice President George Bush, right, and Indiana Sen. Dan Quayle wave to the crowd after Bush announced Quayle would be his running mate following a riverboat cruise in New Orleans on Aug. 16, 1988. Bush's son, Neil Bush, is seen clapping behind Quayle. Carlos Rosales / Houston Post

Photo By Craig Hartley/Houston Chronicle

06/09/1988 - Vice President George Bush waves to delegates attending the Texas Republican Party convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Behind him are his wife, Barbara Bush, and Texas GOP Chairman George Strake. Craig Hartley / Houston Post

10/12/1987 - Vice President George HW Bush officially launched his 1988 presidential campaign in the main ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The announcement party moved from the ballroom to the hotel's massive lobby where the elevators were decorated with lights spelling out "Bush 88." Mary Urech Roberts / Houston Chronicle

Photo By Betty Tichich/Houston Chronicle

11/10/1980 - Vice-President elect George Bush holds a press conference in Houston before leaving for Washington, DC where he will meet with President-elect Ronald Reagan and begin work on the transition. Betty Tichich / Houston Post

Photo By Bill Thompson/Houston Chronicle

11/04/1980 - (L-R) Barbara Bush and husband, George Herbert Walker Bush, celebrate his election as the next Vice President of the United States at the Houston Oaks Hotel in Houston. The Bushes gathered with familly and supporters at the hotel to await the 1980 presidential election results. Bill Thompson / Houston Post HPOST CAPTION (11/05/1980): Bush, wife Barbara celebrate victory at Houston Oaks Hotel

Photo By Jerry Click/Houston Chronicle

11/04/1980 - (L-R) Barbara Bush leads her mother-in-law, Dorothy Walker Bush, and husband, GOP Vice Presidential candidate George Herbert Walker Bush. through a hallway at the Houston Oaks Hotel in Houston. The Bushes gathered with familly and supporters at the hotel to await the 1980 presidential election results. By the end of the evening family and supporters celebrated his election as the next Vice President of the United States. Jerry Click / Houston Post

Photo By Curtis McGee/Houston Chronicle

PHOTO FILED: RONALD REAGAN-HOUSTON VISIT. 07/19/1980 - The GOP nominees - George Bush and Ronald Reagan and their wives, Barbara and Nancy - make their first post-convention appearance at the Houston Galleria shopping mall. (l-r): GOP VP Nominee George H.W. Bush, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, GOP Pres. nominee Ronald Reagan. Curtis McGee / Houston Chronicle HOUCHRON CAPTION (07/20/1980): It was hand-waving and cowboy hats Saturday at the Galleria as the Republican Party nominees made their first post-convention campaign appearance. Ronald Reagan, the GOP standard-bearer, and George Bush of Houston, his running mate, spoke to several thousand at the shopping center. Responding to cheers are, from left, Bush, wife Barbara, Nancy Reagan and Reagan.

Photo By David Breslauer/Houston Chronicle

PHOTO FILED: GEORGE HW BUSH-GROUP. 07/19/1980 - George Bush, left, returned in triumph to greet his neighbors near his southwest Houston home Saturday after being tapped by Ronald Reagan for the GOP vice presidential nomination. He took time off from having breakfast at his home with Reagan and a joint appearance at a Galleria rally to shake hands with neighbors Walter and Lois Taber and their children, Keith and Tom. David Breslauer / Houston Chronicle

Photo By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican vice presidential candidate George Bush reacts to applause from the assembled Republican delegates at the Republican National Convention at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich., Thursday evening, July 17, 1980. Bush was selected by Ronald Reagan as his running mate on Wednesday. (AP Photo)

Photo By Bill Ingraham/AP

Using Independence Hall as a backdrop, Republican presidential hopeful George Bush addresses supporters and newsmen April 9, 1980 in Philadelphia. Bush is seeking votes in the April 22 Pennsylvania primary.

Photo By Henry Griffin/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sen. Frank Church, right, D-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Intelligence committee, chats with George H.W. Bush, President Ford's choice to be CIA director, prior to the start of hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee December 16, 1975 on Capitol Hill. Church says he's against Bush's confirmation and will testify against him during today's season. (AP Photo/Henry Griffin)

Photo By John Rooney/AP

Ambassador George Bush, chief U.S. delegate to United Nations, sits at General Assembly session in New York October 26, 1971, the day after he lost his battle to keep Nationalist China in the world body.

Photo By Anonymous/ASSOCIATED PRESS

George Bush, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations is shown at U.N. headquarters in New York in 1971. (AP Photo)

Photo By Sam C. Pierson Jr./Houston Chronicle

HOUCHRON CAPTION (04/11/1999): George W. Bush, center, joins his mother, Barbara Bush, and brother, Jeb Bush, rear, in Houston as father George Bush acknowledges defeat in Texas' 1970 U.S. Senate race. The younger Bush campaigned vigorously for his father in the race against Democrat Lloyd Bentsen Jr. HOUCHRON CAPTION (02/16/2003): George H.W. Bush, right, acknowledges defeat in Texas' 1970 U.S. Senate race. Son George W., center, shown with his mother, Barbara, and brother Jeb, rear, campaigned for his father.

Photo By Bill Thompson/Houston Chronicle

11/02/1970 - George Bush, candidate for U.S. Senate from Texas, thanks his supporters at downtown rally to wrap up his campaign. Bill Thompson / Houston Post

Photo By Anonymous/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rep. George H.W. Bush, R-Texas., who is seeking a seat in U.S. Senate, talks with a group of young people at a rally in Houston, Texas., on Oct. 9, 1970. Bush is opposed by Lloyd Bentsen, wealthy Houston businessman, who defeated Sen. Ralph Yarborough in the State Democratic Primary. (AP Photo)

Photo By Jim Cox/Houston Chronicle

05/30/1970 - George W. Bush (2nd from left) and his father, U.S. Rep. George HW Bush (far right, white shirt) participate in the 20-mile charity, "Walk for Mankind." Funds were raised for three volunteer service groups. Sponsors were soliicited to pay for each mile walked by the participant. Jim Cox / Houston Post

Photo By Bela Ugrin/Houston Chronicle

05/20/1970 - (L-R) Professor Nicolai Blokhin of Moscow, U.S. Rep. George Bush and Dr. Emil Freireich of Houston at dinner given by Houston chapter of the Leukemia Society of America. Bela Ugrin / Houston Post HPOST CAPTION (05/21/1970): Congressman George Bush (center) captured the attention of Professor Nicolai Blokhin of Moscow and Dr. Emil Freireich (left) of Houston at a dinner Wednesday night at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel. It was given by the Houston chapter of the Leukemia Society of America and attracted many of the delegates to the forthcoming International Cancer Congress which starts Friday. Blokhin is the congress president.

05/02/1970 - U.S. Senate candidate George Bush and his wife, Barbara, rummage in her bag at their voting precinct in the Texas Republican Primary election. Ray Covey / Houston Post

Photo By Sam C. Pierson Jr./Houston Chronicle

PHOTO FILED: GEORGE HW BUSH. 04/02/1970 - U.S. Rep. George Bush, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks with Astros second baseman Jim Morgan and Astros pitcher Don Wilson at the opening of his Harris County campaign headquarters at 5005 Fannin Thursday, April 2, 1970. Sam C. Pierson Jr. / Houston Chronicle

Photo By Jim Cox/Houston Chronicle

04/02/1970 - U.S. Rep. George Bush, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, opens his Harris County campaign headquarters at 5005 Fannin Thursday, April 2, 1970. Jim Cox / Houston Post

Photo By Jim Cox/Houston Chronicle

04/02/1970 - U.S. Rep. George Bush, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, opens his Harris County campaign headquarters at 5005 Fannin Thursday, April 2, 1970. Jim Cox / Houston Post

Photo By Ed Kolenovsky/AP

Republican George Bush, left, has his hand raised in victory by newly elected Democrat Bob Eckhardt of the 8th Congressional District of Harris County. Bush, winner of the newly created 7th Congressional District of Harris County, won the election over Democrat Frank Briscoe, Eckhardt defeated W.D. Spayne of the Constitutional Party. The victory celebration took place in Bush's campaign headquarters late Tuesday night, Nov. 9, 1966.

Photo By Bill Cooksey/Houston Chronicle

PHOTO FILED: GEORGE HW BUSH-GROUP. 11/08/1966 - George and Barbara Bush celebrate his election to a seat in the U.S. Congress from the 7th district in Texas. Bill Cooksey / Houston Chronicle

Photo By Jerry Click/Houston Chronicle

11/08/1966 - Newly-elected Congressman George Bush flashes a winner's smile as his wife, Barbara, gives him a victory kiss following his election to a seat in the U.S. Congress from the 7th district in Texas. Jerry Click / Houston Post

Photo By Anonymous/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican Senatorial candidate George Bush shows a victory sign as he and his wife Barbara stand in front of a vote machine November 3, 1964 in Houston,Tex., just before casting their ballot. The candidate waited an hour and a half in a long of votes that circled the Pilgrim Elementary School where the Bush's voted this morning. in Houston. (AP Photo).

Photo By Dave Farmer/Houston Chronicle

06/08/1964 - U.S. Senate candidate George Bush with three of his sons, from left, Neil, Jeb and Marvin (seated); his wife, Barbara, and daughter, Dorothy. Bush's eldest son George is not in the photo. Dave Farmer / Houston Post

04/05/1964 - Dorothy Bush, 4, shows her support for her father, George Bush, who is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, at a rally near Richmond, Texas. Dell Van Dusen / Houston Post

Photo By ASSOCIATED PRESS

1930, George Bush with his sister in 1930. (AP Photo)

Photo By ASSOCIATED PRESS

George Bush, left, with unknown boy, as finalists in the Field Club Jr. Tournament in 1939. (AP Photo)

Photo By Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Former President George H.W. Bush, in Houston Nov. 1, 2012.

Former President George H.W. Bush, a big supporter of Houston sports teams, chats with former Secretary of State James A. Baker, another D.C. player who's at home in Houston, at the Texans game Nov. 4, 2012. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

Bush flips the coin before the Houston Texans game against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 4, 2012. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

Photo By Brett Coomer

Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, greets former President George H.W. Bush before having lunch together in Houston on Nov. 1, 2012. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, left, visits with former President George H.W. Bush, center, and former Secretary of State James Baker, right, before having lunch Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston. Gorbachev is in Houston to speak at the Brilliant Lecture Series. Standing behind is Gorbachev's adviser Paval Palazhchenko. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Barbara Bush and former President George H.W. Bush as they arrive for the Tuesday's premiere.

Photo By Mayra Beltran

(Center) Antonio Lopez-Perla shakes hands with Former President George H. W. Bush in front of St. Martin's Episcopal Church near the 19th mile marker along Woodway Blvd. during the Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Former President George H.W. Bush, left, and his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, arrive in the East Room of the White House on Thursday for the unveiling ceremony.

Former President George H.W. Bush looks on as Barbara Bush waves toward Clay Walker as he sings "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

Former President George H.W. Bush is in a Houston hospital with a lingering cough, but his doctor said Thursday he is improving and should be discharged this weekend.

Bush, 88, has bronchitis, which alternately got better and worse for a week before more sustained improvement the last few days, said Dr. Amy Mynderse, an internal medicine physician in charge of his care at The Methodist Hospital. The condition was never considered life-threatening.

"Anytime someone the president's age has bronchitis, there's concern about possible pneumonia," said Mynderse. "But Mr. Bush's condition never progressed to that level."

Bush has been in and out of Methodist for a few weeks, said his chief of staff, Jean Becker. He was admitted Nov. 7, discharged Nov. 19 and readmitted the day after Thanksgiving.

He was visited Sunday by his son, former President George W. Bush, and his wife, Laura.

Mynderse said the original cause of Bush's bronchitis was a virus, but he developed a secondary, bacterial infection.

Doctors treated Bush with intravenous antibiotics and steroids, said Mynderse. She said his cough was quite deep and caused some discomfort but that he's had no other typical bronchitis symptoms, such as a low-grade fever or shortness of breath. She said for a time the cough sapped much of his energy, but his strength has improved in the last few days.

Mynderse said that Bush, working with a physical therapist, is sitting up, moving and walking as much as possible to help his recovery. She said he is "on target" to be discharged this weekend.

Bronchitis, an acute inflammation of the airways that carry airflow from the windpipe into the lungs, is quite common among the elderly and is easily resolvable 80 percent to 90 percent of the time, said Dr. Arusha Bavare, medical director of senior services at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.

Bavare said if the condition progresses to pneumonia, in which the lungs are affected, it is more serious, but she said that condition, too, is treatable.

Bush, president from 1989-1993, has had various health problems in recent years.

In February, it was reported that he had been diagnosed with lower body parkinsonism, a condition that causes instability from the waist down. As a result, he mostly uses a wheelchair now.

In 2007, he was hospitalized overnight in California after he became dizzy during a round of golf on a hot day.

On Thursday, Mynderse said she was surprised at how quickly Bush is recovering.

"He is definitely in great spirits," Mynderse said in a statement. "He is happy, joking and definitely getting better."